2009 Nissan Murano Owner's Manual - Page 341

TIRE EQUIPMENT SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry pavement. However, the performance of these tires will be substantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recommends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels. Consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating and availability information. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check local, state and provincial laws before installing studded tires. Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires. Tire chains may be used. For details, see "TIRE CHAINS" in the "8. Maintenance and do-ityourself" section of this manual. SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT It is recommended that the following items be carried in the vehicle during winter: . A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove ice and snow from the windows and wiper blades. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the jack to give it firm support. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts. Extra window washer fluid to refill the reservoir tank... will lose even more traction. Allow more stopping distance under these conditions. Braking should be started sooner than on dry pavement. Allow greater following distances on slippery roads. Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These may appear on an otherwise clear road in shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead, brake before reaching it. Try not to brake while on the ice, and avoid any sudden steering maneuvers. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads. Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle. . . ... DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE WARNING . Wet ice (328F, 08C and freezing rain), very cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard to drive on. The vehicle will have much less traction or "grip" under these conditions. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road is salted or sanded. Whatever the condition, drive with caution. Accelerate and slow down with care. If accelerating or downshifting too fast, the drive wheels All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model If you install snow tires, they must also be the same size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all four wheels. . ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so equipped) Engine block heaters are available through NISSAN dealers to assist in cold temperature starting. The engine block heater should be used when the outside temperature is 208F (−78C) or lower. Starting and driving 5-29